On Social Media

Like Me

by Andrew Malekoff

ON SOCIAL MEDIA, a message and poem from Andrew Malekoff to share and discuss with groups of all ages

SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE A HAMMER, a tool that is rigidly used, or PUTTY, a tool that is flexible. TROUBLE IS we never grew up learning how to use this tool. It's all trial and error. And, so, there are human benefits and casualties. Let's teach our kids how to reduce the casualties and advance the benefits. Maybe this original poem can be a start.

SOCIAL MEDIA?

Tool for good?

Tool for evil?

Tool for fun?

Tool for none?

Tool for look-at-me?

Tool for look-at-you?

Tool for humor?

Tool for ridicule?

Tool for building up?

Tool for tearing down?

Tool for giving?

Tool for taking?

Tool for connecting?

Tool for isolating?

Tool for growing?

Tool for stagnating?

Tool for hiding?

Tool for seeking?

Tool for finding?

Tool for concealing?

Tool for protecting?

Tool for attacking?

Tool for hating?

Tool for loving?

Tool for learning?

Tool for ignoring?

Tool for attacking?

Tool for protecting?

Tool for remembering?

Tool for forgetting?

Tool for listening?

Tool for filibustering?

Tool for boasting?

Tool for humbling?

Tool for challenging?

Tool for accepting?

Tool for leading?

Tool for following?

Tool for organizing?

Tool for disrupting?

Tool for forgiving?

Tool for living?

Tool for who?

Tool for you?

Tool for me?

Andrew Malekoff is executive director and CEO for the nonprofit North Shore Child & Family Guidance Center in Roslyn Heights, NY, and editor-in-chief of Social Work with Groups, a journal of community and clinical practice.